UAE
The UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism has launched a new digital initiative—the Essential Goods Prices Platform—allowing residents to compare the cost of everyday items across the country in real time.
The platform covers a wide range of essential commodities, including cooking oils, eggs, dairy products, rice, sugar, poultry, meat, fish, and legumes. It also includes staple items such as bread, wheat, and bottled water, along with fresh produce like bananas, oranges, apples, cucumbers, tomatoes, potatoes, garlic, and onions—ensuring comprehensive coverage of household needs across the United Arab Emirates.
In its initial rollout, the platform tracks 33 essential items, divided into 17 core consumer goods and 16 additional products. Prices are monitored across 12 major retail outlets nationwide, with both minimum and maximum price points displayed to help consumers easily compare costs between different stores and locations.
One of the standout features of the platform is its smart customization tool, which allows users to create personalized food baskets based on their requirements. The system then automatically identifies the most cost-effective purchasing options, empowering residents to make informed spending decisions while managing household budgets more efficiently.
Speaking on the initiative, Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism and Chairman of the Higher Committee for Consumer Protection, highlighted that the UAE has developed a robust legislative and digital ecosystem aimed at safeguarding consumer rights. He emphasized that the platform aligns with global best practices, fostering a stable and transparent marketplace.
The initiative is also expected to stimulate healthy competition among retailers by promoting price visibility, thereby strengthening market stability and protecting consumers’ purchasing power. Authorities believe the move will contribute to long-term economic sustainability by ensuring fairness and accountability in pricing practices.
To maintain accuracy, the Ministry confirmed that price data will be updated daily through direct electronic integration with participating retailers, enabling real-time monitoring of market fluctuations.
Consumers are also encouraged to actively participate in ensuring transparency by reporting any discrepancies between listed and in-store prices via a dedicated helpline.
The launch of the Essential Goods Prices Platform marks a significant milestone in the UAE’s ongoing efforts to leverage digital innovation for economic governance, reinforcing its position as a leader in smart, consumer-centric policymaking.
